Shell denied by US regulator the request for documents older than Venture Global LNG

Shell lost its bid on Thursday to obtain access to non-public documents related to Venture Global LNG’s Calcasieu Pass plant. This is a setback to a larger dispute over the access to cargoes coming from the facility.

Shell, BP and BP Galp have filed contract arbitration lawsuits in the U.S.A. and Europe over the status and inability of the plant to receive contract cargoes.

Shell and other companies claim they lost billions in profits from gas that was promised but not delivered under long-term agreements. Venture Global LNG claims that the Louisiana plant has not been fully commissioned.

In their legal battle, the buyers won access to confidential documents that were filed with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The ruling of FERC on Thursday allows parties to view nonpublic documents that date back to Jan. 1, 2020, when the plant began operations. Shell asked for documents that were not public, but the administrative law judge appointed to the case by FERC refused to do so. This included those from before the deadline of January 20, 2022.

Judge Matthew J. Vlissides Jr. has ruled that Venture Global LNG does not have to serve documents withheld from the public, other than those filed on or after Jan. 1, 2020.

Venture Global and Shell were not immediately available to comment.

Shell was the sole company to request documents before January 2022, according to the judge.

(source: Reuters)